Faith is not a virtue

Discussion in 'Agnosticism and Atheism' started by relaxxx, Jun 22, 2012.

  1. Okiefreak

    Okiefreak Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,079
    Likes Received:
    4,946
    It's probably just as well. Actually the reference wasn't meant to be unkind. The Delphic Oracle had a reputation for communicating profound truths, but in language that was really difficult to interpret. I have that impression of you. You have something deep to say, but it's often hard for me to get it into focus. Dick and Jane is more my speed.
     
  2. Okiefreak

    Okiefreak Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,079
    Likes Received:
    4,946
    Talking to Christians, I have the impression that faith has two very different meanings. The one I use is that faith is a willingness to take a chance on certain ideas about reality that seem plausible and that we need to trust in order to make further progress; e.g., trust our senses, our hunches, our judgement, etc. We trust that our mothers or significant others aren't poisoning our soup. Scientists trust that methodologies they employ, like telescopes and radiometric dating, will give them valid and reliable results, that the fossils they find haven't been put there by the Devil to deceive them, and that events have naturalistic explanations. I see no meaningful distinctions between those two kinds of trust. I also think it would be incorrect to say that we "know" these things thru faith. We assume them, because they seem to be consistent with our experience and necessary to make our way in the world. Another usage that I've encountered among religious folks is that faith is a supernatural gift that enables people to "know" things with certainty, without having to go through the hassle of archaeological digs, painstaking research, etc. This can be because they read it in a sacred book which they consider, with little evidence, to be inerrant; or got it from a prophet or priests whom they believe to be God's mouthpiece; or feel it strongly through what they take to be direct personal communication with the divine. I don't know how to argue with the latter kind of faith, but I'm suspicious of it. My faith (or bet based on my own experiences, judgments, study, etc.) leads me to reject that latter kind of faith as something untrustworthy. I could be wrong, but that's always the case with gambles.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice